MANILA, Philippines - The media focus this week is on the pending execution in China of three Filipinos who were convicted of drug trafficking.There are a reported 72 other Filipinos in drug-related cases who were given two-year reprieves in China. Beijing has declined to arrange a phone conversation between President BS Aquino and Chinese President Hu Jintao, citing the "final and irrevocable decision of their court sentencing the three to death." The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Chinese government has notified the Philippine embassy in Beijing that Philippine VP Jejomar Binay would be allowed to visit. The Chinese government said that "in receiving VP Binay, they took into serious consideration the sentiments of President Aquino and the Filipino people." VP Binay said that hope springs eternal as he promised to continue communicating with Chinese officials to save the three in death row. He hoped that maybe, he can get a stay of execution with our prayers.
The DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said that they will continue their efforts to secure the commutation of the death sentences. As instructed by President Aquino, "we continue to pursue vigorous representations on behalf of our three nationals on humanitarian grounds," Malaya said. Unlike our President and most heads of state of other countries who have the power to commute and pardon sentences in criminal cases, the Chinese President, it seems, does not have this power. VP Binay will be given an opportunity to talk to the presiding judge of the court in order to plead with him that the Filipino convicts facing execution on Monday i.e., Sally Ordinario Villanueva, Ramon Credo, and Elizabeth Batain, scheduled to be executed on Tuesday were only drug couriers (mules) and were not engaged in drug manufacturing and distribution.
I can see the "mission impossible" task of Binay considering that Sally Villanueva was convicted last December, 2008, of smuggling 4,110 grams of heroin in Xiamen. And Credo with 4,113 grams also in Xiamen last December, 2008. Batain was found guilty of possessing 6,800 grams of heroin in Shenzhen last May, 2008. However, hoping that I am correct, I would like to believe that the fact that the People's Republic of China (PRoC) has some what softened its attitude from no visit of the VP, to the present visit of Binay; I hope this is an indication that perhaps the PRoC might have decided to consider or to suspend the date of execution of the three Filipino convicts or of some of them? In a worst-case scenario, none of the above. However, one may ask why allow Binay to visit and plead for the lives of the three in the first place? Well, to emphasize that our country is China's friend but, regretfully, in spite of the efforts of the other departments, the independent court could not be persuaded.
I commend DoJ Secretary De Lima for ordering the NBI to hunt for the recruiters of "drug mules" however, I have some suggestions. Since the Bureau of Immigration is also under the DoJ, I would like to suggest that a review of all visas granted to those foreigners who have no legitimate business in our country, especially of countries who are reported to be the source of heroin and other drugs and some of whose nationals have been caught as the source of drugs to be delivered through "drug mules." Better still, strict implementation of our immigration laws through our consulates abroad as well as at the ports of entry should be enforced. When there is a doubt as to whether foreigners with Philippine visas will be allowed to stay, the better part of discretion will be not to allow them to enter or limit their stay to a few weeks. I am sure there are other ways to prevent the victimization of our citizens who for a few pieces of gold are tempted to smuggle drugs and in the process are caught... rene.espina@hotmail.com
